Mandatory safety training for every Ontario construction worker and a new prevention office reporting directly to the labour minister are among 46 recommendations resulting from an investigation prompted by the deaths of four men last Christmas Eve.

The sweeping changes come from a year-long examination of workplace safety by Tony Dean, Ontario’s former cabinet secretary, after the men fell 13 floors off a scaffolding stage at a Kipling Ave. apartment.

The 80-page report, obtained by the Star, represents the most serious overhaul of the provincial health and safety system in the last couple of decades, unionists say.

There have been at least 73 and as many as 101 fatalities in the province in the last five years, the report said, adding that thousands of workers have been seriously injured during that period.

“This review was preceded by the tragic collapse of a highrise swing stage that resulted in four deaths and serious injuries to a fifth worker,” the report said. “Workplace fatalities have continued to occur throughout the course of this review.’’

If this report is fully implemented, Dean wrote in a letter addressed to Labour Minister Peter Fonseca, every Ontario worker and supervisor will receive mandatory information about workplace rights and responsibilities before they start their job.

Besides training for everyone working on a construction site, a chief reform of the panel of labour and academic experts is to establish a new prevention organization within one year.

It would be headed by a chief prevention executive, have a council and would be housed inside the Ministry of Labour. It would also answer directly to the minister.

Critics in the construction industry say the Dec. 24 tragedy was waiting to happen because of a lack of proper safety inspections, outdated legislation and an underground economy rife with cheap labour.

After the incident, the Ministry of Labour conducted a series of inspection blitzes and found a myriad of problems including fall hazards, a lack of properly trained staff or supervisors, and workers using broken or inadequate equipment.

Dean’s work was applauded Wednesday by those in the construction field.

For too long, hazardous working conditions have been overlooked in the industry, said Patrick Dillon, business manager of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario. The umbrella organization represents 150,000 construction workers.

“If four policemen had been killed Christmas Eve — and I would never want to see that happen — there would have been a different reaction to that than of construction workers,” he said.

Alla Bass, an interpreter for two of the widows, told the Star the women welcome the call for mandatory safety training.

“I’m very happy that there are so many (recommended) changes, good changes,” Bass said. “I hope it will prevent accidents — that no one more will suffer.”

If such a requirement had been in place a year ago, perhaps Oksana Afanasenko and Irina Cherniakova wouldn’t be grieving today, Bass said.

John Cartwright, president of the Toronto and York Region Labour Council, also applauded the call for mandatory safety training at work sites.

He said Quebec has a similar model that has greatly increased workplace safety.

“We’ve always felt that that is the sort of thing that should be replicated in this province,” Cartwright said.

One of Dean’s recommendations is rigorous training standards for those who work high up and for other high-risk activities. There will also be tougher penalties where standards for training, supervision and the use of safety equipment are not followed, the report says.

Vadim Kazenelson, 35, and Benny Saigh, 52, were also arrested. The three men and Metron each face four charges of criminal negligence causing death and one count each of criminal negligence causing bodily harm.

The arrests mark the first time company officials in Ontario have been charged with criminal negligence causing death for workplace fatalities. The charges carry the potential of life prison terms.

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